Mali’s famous nonuplets — the world’s only surviving set of nine siblings born at once — just turned four, and their proud parents are counting their blessings.
On Sunday, 4 May 2025, Halima Cissé and Abdelkader Arby celebrated the fourth birthday of their record-breaking children: brothers Mohammed VI, Elhadji, Oumar, and Bah, and sisters Kadidia, Fatouma, Hawa, Adama, and Oumou.
The milestone was marked with smiles, laughter, and adorable family photos that showcased how much the little ones have grown.
In the latest pictures, the nine siblings posed together, alongside their parents, and proudly held up their Guinness World Records certificate.
Each child’s personality shone through in the snaps — with one mischievous boy stealing the show by pulling an adorably grumpy face in every shot.
The nonuplets made history in 2021 when they became the first known set of nine babies to survive birth.
They currently hold the Guinness World Record for the most children delivered at a single birth to survive.
The previous record, set in 1971 by Australian mother Geraldine Brodrick, also involved nine babies, though tragically none survived.
Reflecting on the journey, Halima, now 29, expressed her gratitude and joy.
“The children are all well, by the grace of God. They have grown so much since their last birthday and the change is clearly visible in them all,” she shared.
The incredible birth story began when doctors initially believed Halima was expecting seven babies. It wasn’t until she was flown to a specialist clinic in Morocco, thanks to the Malian government, that two more were discovered.
“We started with seven, and Allah blessed us with nine,” Abdelkader recalled.
Born prematurely via C-section at just 30 weeks, the babies each weighed between 0.5 to 1 kilogram (1.1 to 2.2 pounds).
Given the risks, the family remained in Morocco for 19 months, living in a specially equipped apartment with a team of nurses on standby.
Despite the challenges, Halima has always considered her extraordinary family a blessing.
Speaking to the Associated Press in 2022, she admitted raising nine young children is “not easy,” but said she feels incredibly lucky.
“Since I am in Mali, members of my family support me to raise the children,” she said.
The nonuplets also have a big sister, Souda, now six, who helps complete their lively and loving household.
